Chemist sentenced to 18 months in prison in Biogenesis case
A chemist who worked with Biogenesis founder Anthony Bosch was sentenced to 18 months in prison for supplying performance-enhancing substances to the now-closed South Florida clinic, reports the Associated Press.
Prosecutors said that chemist Paulo Berejuk provided the performance-enhancing drugs to Biogenesis who in turn gave them to dozens of Major League Baseball and high school players.
A MLB investigation led to suspensions for 14 professional baseball players last year, including New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez, who was banned for the entire 2014 season.
Bosch was sentenced last week to four years in prison and three years supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute testosterone.
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Berejuk pleaded guilty to the same charges in December. He admitted to supplying up to 10,000 units of steroids to Bosch over a six-year period, sometimes receiving as much as $20,000 a month for the drugs.
Berejuk was hoping for probation and home confinement after his plea but U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga said his role in the case was too vital to receive a sentencing break.
"I cannot in good faith sentence Mr. Berejuk to probation," Altonaga said at a hearing. "This involved a serious crime. I have to consider deterrence to others."
Berejuk apologized in court for his actions and faces possible deportation to his native Brazil after his prison sentence is complete.
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